Mailing Lists: Apple Mailing Lists
Image of Mac OS face in stamp
 
[Date Prev][Date Next][Thread Prev][Thread Next][Date Index][Thread Index]

Re: FW drivers..

The global answer is: Darwin *is* the core os for Mac OS X. There are a few provisos:
- you gotta make sure the darwin kernel you are using is in sync with the Mac OS X version you are using
- there may be be some devices and other components in the core of Mac OS X that don't show up in Darwin, due to legal issues (NDA's and the like)

Specifics below:

On Tuesday, January 30, 2001, at 11:50 PM, Sean wrote:

> I am sure this has been covered like 12 times before, but I seemingly am
> not able to access the archives to look. =( And please excuse some of the
> ignorance, I havent had a chance to get Darwin installed.
>
> Specifically I want to have FW scanner support under OS X PB and/or Darwin
> I would like to use SANE which supports network scanning as well as a few
> other tweaks.
>
> What I need to know is:
>
> A: how do I switch kernels? Can I just compile it on Darwin and replace it
> on MacOS X?

Typically, I do the following:
# cp new_kernel /mach_kernel.new
# cp /mach_kernel /mach_kernel.orig
# cp /mach_kernel.new /mach_kernel
Then reboot. I use 'cp' rather than 'mv' to avoid the usually-unlikely-except-for-the-time-you-are-doing-it possibility that the system crashes in the middle of the operation.

> B: Same thing but for kernel modules. Is Darwin using KEXT?

See global answer, above. Kernel extensions can be dynamically unloaded and replaced, with some care. It may not be possible if your extension is so entangled in system operation that it won't turn loose and die. For example, you may not be able to replace the driver for your root disk dynamically.

You should move replaced kexts out of the Extensions folder before rebooting.

> C: Is there a FW device development doc specifically for OS X or the PB
> that is fairly well written? Or at least something to go off of...
>
> D: Can anyone point me to developmental instructions for writing FW
> drivers?
>
> E: is someone already working on scanner support?

Someone else should handle the last three.

Regards,

Justin

Justin C. Walker, Curmudgeon-At-Large *
Institute for General Semantics |
Manager, CoreOS Networking | When LuteFiske is outlawed
Apple Computer, Inc. | Only outlaws will have
2 Infinite Loop | LuteFiske
Cupertino, CA 95014 |
*---------------------------------------*-------------------------------*



Visit the Apple Store online or at retail locations.
1-800-MY-APPLE

Contact Apple | Terms of Use | Privacy Policy

Copyright © 2007 Apple Inc. All rights reserved.